GenealogyGriot

Processing Unexpected Genealogy Research Findings

Referencing an article I wrote describing the emotional impact of non-paternity events (NPEs), one reader commented that learning unsavory information during the process of genealogy research “can become a huge burden to carry alone or create family turmoil if revealed”. The decision of what to do – i.e., “share it, bury it, ignore it” – isContinueContinue reading “Processing Unexpected Genealogy Research Findings”

Your Ancestor and Founders Day Season: A Genealogy of Black Greek-Letter Organizations

We can learn a lot from our ancestors when we know about what researchers have termed their FAN club – their friends, associates, and neighbors. For example, our relatives often joined community-based organizations such as farmers alliances, masonic lodges, and social clubs. Some even coalesced into gender-based groups known as fraternities and sororities. These were popularContinueContinue reading “Your Ancestor and Founders Day Season: A Genealogy of Black Greek-Letter Organizations”

Atomic Habits and Goals: Becoming a Certified Genealogist in 2024

I finished reading James Clear’s Atomic Habits earlier this month. I had heard about this book for years but was late to jump on the train. I’m glad I finally did, though, because it is helping me to change my life. The big takeaways that I noted were: 1) I should focus more on shaping identity than on goal-setting;ContinueContinue reading “Atomic Habits and Goals: Becoming a Certified Genealogist in 2024”

Black Cajun: Researching My Acadian Ancestors

I’ve concentrated most of my family research efforts on my black ancestors, but I actually have about 25% European ancestry that I should explore. Seeing Sweden and Italy in my list of ancestral lands was surprising, but it has been common knowledge in my southwest Louisiana family that we have French roots. What I’m beginning to learnContinueContinue reading “Black Cajun: Researching My Acadian Ancestors”

BookTalk: They Were Her Property Chapters 7 & 8 + Epilogue

Dr. Jones-Rogers ends her book, They Were Her Property, by detailing how white female slaveowners managed the denouement of slavery. She provides some history tidbits regarding the nation’s internal fight over the issue of slavery that I found interesting. For example, Jones-Rogers describes Abraham’s Lincoln’s efforts to quell Southerners’ fears about his intentions, citing thatContinueContinue reading “BookTalk: They Were Her Property Chapters 7 & 8 + Epilogue”

How to Do an Impromptu Family History Interview

This Thanksgiving (2023), we spent time with my husband’s side of the family. A big part of our dinner table discussion involved expressing gratitude for our parents and our upbringing. Our thanksgiving reflections continued as, early the next morning, my 70 year-old father-in-law, Johnny Dean Miller, and I chatted over coffee. He explained how eagerContinueContinue reading “How to Do an Impromptu Family History Interview”

When Your Daddy Isn’t Your Daddy: Non-Paternity Events and Your Mental Health

Everyone has skeletons in the proverbial closet. In the world of genealogy research, one of the most difficult one to be confronted is finding out that your ancestry or heritage is different than you thought it was or would be. Many times this is because of error-filled family stories, but an even more common reasonContinueContinue reading “When Your Daddy Isn’t Your Daddy: Non-Paternity Events and Your Mental Health”